BRICS Summit 2024: Hours ahead of a ‘likely’ bilateral meeting between Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Chinese counterpart President Xi Jinping, the Chinese Foreign ministry on Tuesday while confirming the India-China border agreement said, “Currently, the two sides have reached a solution on the relevant matters, which China views positively. In the next phase, China will work with India to effectively implement the solution plan”
While confirming the agreement between #China and #India on border patrols in disputed areas, the Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian on Tuesday said that China and India have maintained close communication through diplomatic and military channels regarding border-related issues.
In response to questions about the reported agreement between #China and #India on border patrols in disputed areas, the Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson confirmed progress. China and India have maintained close communication through diplomatic and military channels… pic.twitter.com/RFzX0uR2uE
— Global Times (@globaltimesnews) October 22, 2024
This comes hours after Prime Minister Narendra Modi landed in the Russian city of Kazan and held discussions with Russian President Vladimir Putin at the 16 Brics summit. While addressing his Russian counterpart, PM Modi while thanking for the Russian hospitality said, “I am very happy that I have the opportunity to come to a beautiful city like Kazan for the Brics Summit.”
Reiterating the close historical ties between the two countries, PM Modi said that his second visit to Russia in the past six months shows how deep relations the two countries share. “In July, our annual meeting was held in Moscow. And our community got the opportunity to join,” PM Modi said.
PM Modi also maintained that the two countries will continue to be in touch to try and reach a peaceful resolution to the Russia-Ukraine war. “We will continue to stay in touch on the conflict between the two sides. As I have said before, we believe that the solution to the problems should be in a peaceful manner. We will support the solution of peace and stability as soon as possible. All our efforts will give humanity the main priority,” PM Modi said, adding that India is ready to support all possibilities.
Sharing my remarks during meeting with President Putin.https://t.co/6cd8COO5Vm
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) October 22, 2024
Earlier on Monday the Indian Foreign Ministry announced that India and China have reached an agreement to resume patrolling along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh. According to Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, the agreement specifically pertains to the Depsang and Demchok areas, following multiple rounds of diplomatic and military discussions.
In a note before departure to Kazan at the invitation of President Putin, to attend the 16th BRICS Summit, PM Modi said that India values the close cooperation within Brics which has emerged as an important platform for dialogue and discussion on issues concerning the global developmental agenda, reformed multilateralism, climate change, economic cooperation. “The expansion of BRICS with the addition of new members last year has added to its inclusivity and agenda for the global good,” the PMO note said.
Prime Minister Modi is likely to hold bilateral meetings with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping. As per reports Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian has also sought a bilateral meeting with PM Modi on the sidelines of the summit.
India-China Line of Actual Control (LAC) dispute: The LAC is 3,488 kilometers (2,167 miles) long and runs across several key areas, primarily in the western, central, and eastern sectors of the India-China border. At present the LAC is not a mutually agreed-upon boundary. The lack of clarity led to ghastly clashes in 2020.
Dispute Along the LAC
The LAC is divided into three sectors:
Western Sector (Ladakh – Aksai Chin)
Central Sector (Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh)
Eastern Sector (Arunachal Pradesh)
Recent Standoffs
2020 Galwan Valley: The most recent escalation along the LAC occurred in June 2020 when a brutal hand-to-hand clash in the Galwan Valley of eastern Ladakh led to the deaths of 20 Indian soldiers and an undisclosed number of Chinese casualties. This marked a major turning point in the India-China border relations.
Pangong Tso Standoff: In 2020, tensions flared at Pangong Lake, where both sides accused each other of violating the LAC by constructing infrastructure and moving troops into contested areas.
Disengagement Talks: Since the Galwan incident, there have been multiple rounds of talks at military and diplomatic levels. Some disengagement has occurred in areas like Pangong Lake, but tensions remain high in other areas, particularly in Depsang and Demchok.
Infrastructure Development
Both India and China have been rapidly developing infrastructure close to the LAC to improve troop mobility and logistics.
China: Has built a network of roads, airfields, and communication systems in Tibet and Xinjiang, allowing for quicker troop deployment to the border.
India: In response, India has accelerated the construction of border roads, bridges, and airstrips. The Darbuk-Shyok-Daulat Beg Oldie (DSDBO) Road in Ladakh has been a key strategic project that could allow rapid deployment of troops close to Aksai Chin.
This infrastructure race has increased tensions, as both sides perceive the other’s activities as aggressive.
Frequent Patrol Clashes
The ambiguous nature of the LAC leads to frequent patrol confrontations. Both India and China regularly send patrols up to what they consider their side of the LAC, often encountering patrols from the other side.
Military Protocols: While there are agreements in place to avoid the use of firearms, confrontations have escalated into violent brawls, particularly in the Galwan incident.
Political and Strategic Factors
Strategic Competition: The LAC issues are part of a broader strategic rivalry between India and China, not just in terms of territorial control but also for influence in South Asia and the Indo-Pacific.
Alliance and Partnerships: India’s growing partnerships with countries like the US (through QUAD) and others who share concerns about China’s rising influence also contribute to the tension.
Diplomatic Efforts: Despite multiple rounds of talks, including through mechanisms like the Special Representatives dialogue and military commander-level meetings, there has been little progress in permanently resolving the LAC issue.
The India-China LAC issue revolves around unilateral change of status quo by China. This led to patrol clashes in 2020 and subsequent heavy military deployment by the two countries. The clashes that saw heavy casualties especially at the Indian side flared up diplomatic tensions leading to a policy and bilateral deadlock of sorts between the two Asian giants.
